Gain Weight Safely During Your Pregnancy
Weight gain is normal during pregnancy, but too much weight can increase
your chances of complications during your labor and delivery. Eating for
two may be true when you’re pregnant, but keep in mind that the
quality of the food you eat is more important than quantity. The most
important thing is to give your baby the nutrients he or she needs to
grow at a healthy rate. For moms who are conscious about gaining too much
weight during their pregnancy, remember if you don’t gain enough
weight during pregnancy, it can also affect your baby’s growth and
may put him or her at risk of being too small or being born too soon along
with other complications.
On average, a pregnant woman needs an additional 300 healthy calories a
day to help her gain the right amount of weight during pregnancy. This
means that you should gain two to four pounds during your first trimester
followed by a pound a week during the rest of your pregnancy. To get a
more accurate number, it may be safer to ask your doctor about it.
Where Does the Extra Weight Go?
Contrary to popular belief that all your pregnancy weight goes to your
belly, your extra weight is actually distributed to different parts of
your body.
Here’s the breakdown of an average 30-lbs. weight gain:
-
Baby – 7.5 lbs.
-
Placenta – 2 lbs.
-
Amniotic fluid – 2 to 3 lbs.
-
Uterine enlargement – 2 lbs.
-
Breast tissue – 2 to 3 lbs.
-
Blood volume – 4 lbs.
-
Fluids in maternal tissue – 4 lbs.
-
Stored fats or energy reserves – 7 lbs.
Having additional weight in these parts of your body is necessary to have
a healthy baby and get your body ready for labor, delivery, and motherhood.
How to Maintain a Healthy Weight During Pregnancy?
During your pregnancy—especially if this is your first—your
doctor’s advice should be your guiding light in the next nine months.
Your doctor can advise you on your diet and monitor your weight gain.
That is why it is important to keep all your doctor’s appointment.
Healthy weight during pregnancy may differ from mother to mother, but the
one thing that mothers like you can agree on during pregnancy is the importance
of eating a balanced diet and listening to your doctor’s advice.
This article contains general information about medical conditions and
treatments. The information is not advice and should not be treated as
such. The information is not intended to replace the advice or diagnosis
of a physician.
If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should
consult your doctor or other professional healthcare providers.